Black Mountain traverse, 6/16/2018

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RichS

Member
Joined
Aug 12, 2013
Messages
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Location
Westford, MA
Chippewa Trail, Black Mountain Trail, then same in reverse
stream crossings: trivial
mud: none
blowdowns: none
black flies: yes but tolerable
ticks: few
lime kilns: worth a visit
usage: saw about ten groups on Chippewa, three on Black Mtn
The northern approach is gentler, but has no views.

Chippewa note: where the guide says "turns right onto the logging road at the T intersection, follows it for 60 yd., then diverges left", you want the second left, about 5 yd. after the first left. I didn't see it on the way up, resulting in an extra 1/4 mile and a pointless up and down.
Black Mtn Trail note: active logging has made the road past Howe Hill Road easily navigable for a half mile, to the big bend in the trail. Then a bulldozer in the road effectively says, "You shall not pass."
 
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